Ole Jorgensen Creative Workshop Universal Circle Slide Rule

Description:

This black plastic instrument is shaped like a pencil cup. A fixed scale labeled x3 is near the rim, with four rotating parallel bands below it. The first band is white and has x and x2 scales. The second band is gray and has two x scales. The third band is white and also has two x scales. The fourth band is gray and has an x2 scale. The bands do not move very easily. The scales labeled x are logarithmically divided and run from 1 to 9.5 once (they are similar to the C and D scales on other slide rules). The scales labeled x2 are divided logarithmically from 1 to 10 and then from 1 to 9, and are similar to the A and B scales on other slide rules. The scale labeled x3 is divided logarithmically from 1 to 10 three times and resembles a K scale on other slide rules. There is no indicator.

The rim of the object is marked in white: UNIVERSAL CIRCLE SLIDE RULE. The bottom of the instrument is marked: ORIGINAL DESIGN BY OLE JORGENSEN CREATIVE WORKSHOP INC. COPENHAGEN DENMARK (/) © OLE JORGENSEN 1970 PAT. PEND. MADE IN DENMARK. Ole Jørgensen's Creative Workshop made a variety of plastic items in the early 1970s, including slide rule pencil cups and desk calendars. Some were marked as promotional items for other companies. It is not known whether Jørgensen ever received a patent for this device. By 1972, the company's production shifted from Denmark to Hong Kong. The company was dissolved around 1980.

References: Chris Gillings, "Universal Circle Slide Rule," http://chris.gillings.com/collect/slide/ucsr.html; "Universal Circle slide rule, 1970," Powerhouse Museum Collections Database, http://www.powerhousemuseum.com/collection/database/?irn=382846; "Historical Photos of People with Slide Rules and Related Ephemera," International Slide Rule Museum, http://sliderulemuseum.com/SR_Ephemera.htm; The London Gazette (24 January 1980), 1169, http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/48076/pages/1169/page.pdf; completed online auction records.

Date Made: ca 1970

Maker: Creative Workshop, Inc.

Location: Currently not on view

Place Made: Denmark: Hovedstaden, Copenhagen

Subject: Promotional ItemRule, CalculatingMathematicsNovelty

Subject:

See more items in: Medicine and Science: Mathematics, Science & Mathematics, Slide Rules

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Gift of John White

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1981.0922.14Catalog Number: 1981.0922.14Accession Number: 1981.0922

Object Name: calculating ruleslide rule

Physical Description: plastic (overall material)Measurements: overall: 9.9 cm x 7 cm x 7 cm; 3 29/32 in x 2 3/4 in x 2 3/4 in

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746aa-92fc-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_1127896

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